Thursday, October 30, 2025
There was a BIG game being played tonight, Ventura County's oldest high school rivalry.
The 115th edition of
The Battle on Route 126
I had already purchased three tickets to the game for Jacob, Michael and myself for the game's first ever game playing outside of these two neighboring farming communities located just nine miles apart along the Route 126 Highway.
A new experience was being tried this year because of the high demand for tickets to the game and the small stadiums at the two schools. Santa Paula's Jones Field only has a seating capacity of 2,300 while Fillmore's Carrillo Field seats but 2,000.
The game was being played a further 12 miles west on the Route 126 Highway at Ventura's Larrabee Field that can comfortably accommodate a crowd of 5,800.
I had been to two of these games over the years, both in my capacity as color commentator on the old Ventura County Star Game-of-theWeek streaming broadcasts.
I was fortunate to have seen a game at each school with jam packed stands and high energy fans. Both games were great examples of small town Americana with community and family pride on full display.
Before heading to the game, we had one fun job to take care of with the grandkids.
HALLOWEEN
PUMPKIN CARVING!
Laurie bought two pumpkins at Ralph's Market for Mary and Jacob to carve any way that they wanted in preparation for tomorrow's Halloween festivities.
Jacob started carving strategically
Mary was a bit hesitant at first
Then she got into it!
Adult supervision was a MUST!
Mary quickly became one of
the greatest pumpkin guts
scrappers that I've ever seen
Suddenly, Jacob was on a
pumpkin carving roll
Bare hand into the guts,
NO PROBLEM!
Mary, what is THAT look?
Pumpkin guts snack,
YUM!
Of course, Jacob had to add
Huskies "W" to his pumpkin
Mary's Jack-o-Lantern had
an eye infection of some kind
Now they were both working furiously
Jacob's pumpkin actually
attacked him!
Mary continuing to work on
her pumpkin's inner workings
Mary using her spoon . . .
. . . for a few final details
I think that we all enjoyed this artistic afternoon immensely.
Now, it was time to head up to Ventura H.S. for the 115th edition of The Battle on Route 126 game.
This series started in 1924 but has not been played every year due to World War II, wildfires and, of course, the Covid-19 epidemic. On the other hand, there were several seasons when these two arch-rivals met twice, thus 114 games going into tonight's contest in the now 101 years since they first met.
Battle on Route 126
Series Standings
Santa Paula - 63 Wins
Fillmore - 44 Wins
7 Ties
Let's take a closer look at our two combatants . . .
5-4 Overall, 1-3 Tri-County League
2025 Results
at Grace (6-3) – Won 45-34
vs. La Cañada (8-1) – Lost 42-14
at Del Sol (1-8) – Won 42-0
at Narbonne (0-9) – Won 34-8
vs. Carpinteria (3-5) – Won 43-10
vs. Agoura (7-2) – Lost 35-10 *
at San Marcos (3-6) – Lost 25-0 *
vs. Dos Pueblos (5-3) – Lost 14-3 *
at Hueneme (1-8) - Won 27-16 *
* Tri-County League Game
vs.
8-1 overall, 3-1 Tri-County League
2025 Results
at Royal (3-6) – Won 49-3
vs. Chaffey (4-5) – Won 21-14
at Buena (4-5) – Won 41-17
vs. Grace (6-3) – Won 54-40
vs. SanMarcos (3-6) – Won 21-0 *
vs. Hueneme (1-8) – Won 42-0 *
at Agoura (7-2) – Lost 42-14 *
vs. Dos Pueblos (4-5) – Won 24-17 *
* Tri-County League Game
It is called the Tri-County League because Agoura H.S. is in Los Angeles County while Fillmore, Hueneme and Santa Paula High Schools are in Ventura County. Having both Dos Pueblos and San Marcos High Schools located in Santa Barbara County rounds out the reason for the league's moniker.
Now, when it comes to a school's mascot. Is there anything more disturbing than Fillmore's . . .
Flash Man
Perhaps, long ago, Lon Chaney, Sr. posed for this ferocious symbol of school pride.
The winner of the game gets to
keep The Leather Helmet for the
next year in their trophy case
A closer view at the back of
the prized Leather Helmet
We entered Ventura H.S.'s
Larrabee Stadium
Here come the Flashes
Thankfully, no Flash Man was in sight.
Both cheerleading squads
warmed-up near each other
My boys with the Sun setting
over the Channel Islands
Is there a better spot in Ventura County
to watch a high school game?
No, seriously . . .
. . . is there?
I think not. Only La Playa Stadium at Santa Barbara City College up the road half an hour can be in the discussion for the best California Gold Coast stadium setting.
Flashes kicking-off to start the game
Santa Paula in the Double Wing
on their first play
22 players, no more than ten yards
apart and all between the hashes
Somewhere in Heaven, the Cardinals legendary, hard-nosed head coach, "Papa" Joe Zeno, must have been smiling.
This Toss Sweep-Off Tackle play gained five yards but Santa Paula never used the formation or play again until they reached the Goal Line in the Third Quarter.
Cardinals now using their Spread Offense
This Fillmore RB was TOUGH!
Lots of action . . .
. . . with some violent tackling
End of the First Quarter
Fillmore - 7
Santa Paula - 0
The Flashes kept attacking the
Cardinals flanks with success
All of the running by both clubs made for a speedy first two Quarters as Fillmore widened their advantage.
Halftime Score
Fillmore - 17
Santa Paula - 0
The Cheerleaders from both schools . . .
. . . combined for some high flying routines
The combing of the Fillmore and
Santa Paula Bands and Tall Flags made
for splendid Halftime entertainment
The Cardinals returned a Kickoff
to the ten yard line but . . .
. . . the Flashes Defense proved to be
too stingy until . . .
. . . they were caught CHEATING!
The Cardinals finally returned to their Double Wing Sweep play and scored easily. They were back in the game!
And then they weren't.
The Flashes returned the ensuing Kickoff 90 yards for Fillmore TD.
End of the Third Quarter
Fillmore - 31
Santa Paula - 8
The Flashes had taken over the firm control of the game. It was getting late and it was a school night after all for both Jacob and Michael.
Thus, we headed home to Camarillo.
Jacob displaying his newest
Football Rivalry T-shirt for Gigi
As for the experiment to move the game to Ventura H.S. to accommodate the anticipated crowd, that was a qualified success. Though 5,800 seat Larrabee Stadium was not full, there were I would guess about 4,000 fans in attendance. That would be near double the size of the crowd that either Fillmore or Santa Paula could have held.
The negative, for me at least, was with the crowd not jam packed as usual, I did not feel the electricity in the air like I had in my previous two Battle on Route 126 experiences. Still, I was glad to have joined my boys at this 115th classic slice of small town Americana.
We got news of the final tally of the game via the ever reliable MaxPreps app.
Final Score
Fillmore (9-1, 4-1 TCL) - 45
Santa Paula (5-5, 1-4 TCL) - 8
Battle on Route 126
New and Improved
Series Standings
Santa Paula - 63 Wins
Fillmore - 45 Wins
7 Ties
Final Tri-County League Standings
1. Agoura 5-0, 8-2 overall
2. Fillmore 4-1, 9-1 overall
3. San Marcos 3-2, 4-6 overall
4. Dos Pueblos 2-3, 4-6 overall
5. Santa Paula 1-4, 5-5 overall
6. Hueneme 0-5, 1-9 overall
Thank you to the ever vigilant
Ventura County Star newspaper
Enjoy Halloween tomorrow to the fullest all you hobgoblins!
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